M5 MacBook Models to Use New Compact Camera Module in 2025

[MacRumors]

Apple in 2025 will take on a new compact camera module (CCM) supplier for future MacBook models powered by its next-generation M5 chip, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

Writing in his latest investor note on Medium, Kuo said Apple will turn to Sunny Optical for the CCM in its M5 MacBooks. The Chinese optical lens company will mass produce the CCMs in Vietnam, and provide a complete imaging system integrated into a compact form factor for the new laptops.

The primary suppliers of camera modules for MacBooks are currently LG InnoTek and Sharp. In Apple's optical component supply chain, only Sunny Optical can simultaneously supply CCM and lenses in a single package, which gives the company the advantage of vertical integration. If shipments for the MacBooks go smoothly, Kuo predicts that Sunny Optical could also become the new CCM supplier for future iPhone and iPad models.

Apple plans to update the 14-inch MacBook Pro with an M4 chip as soon as late 2024, and we could perhaps see a refresh before the end of the year. The high-end 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models are also expected to see a late 2024 refresh with M4 Pro and M4 Max chips.

Apple is working on a thinner version of the MacBook Pro, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The ultrathin 2024 iPad Pro serves as a model for Apple's upcoming design philosophy, with the company planning to offer "the thinnest and lightest products" in each category across the tech industry.

It's not clear when a thinner MacBook Pro might come out, since no design changes are rumored for the 2024 refresh, but it's possible that 2025 could be the year that Apple debuts redesigned laptops based on its M5 chip. Apple is also rumored to be working on Face ID for the Mac, and it's likely that the MacBook Pro will be one of the first Macs to get Face ID, but there are no concrete details about when that might happen.

Article Link: M5 MacBook Models to Use New Compact Camera Module in 2025

 

[NapZzz]

What's the benefit of this change?

 

[johannnn]

What's the benefit of this change?

Most people want thinner portable devices. Including me.

 

[iMean]

What's the benefit of this change?

They are on a mission to make the devices so thin that they will have a zero or even negative thickness. Just imagine how cool it will be to have an invisible and untouchable and therefore unstealable device.

 

[podycust]

Why does a MacBook need to be thinner? As much more thinner and it will be so thin you’ll be able to snap it by just touching it!

 

[tim1000]

How about m4?

 

[chucker23n1]

What's the benefit of this change?

At the very least, more competition, which drives down cost for Apple.

Sunny's modules might also be smaller, lighter, more powerful. Who knows.

 

[adrianlondon]

Something needs to be done with these cameras.

My MBA camera is useless in low light. I know I can use my phone's camera ("continuity camera") but it would be great if the MBA had a camera that could be used in a typically-lit room when not by a sunny window.

 

[Lyrics23]

I really hope this thin and light MacBook is a modern take on the 12” MacBook. Wonderful design let down by the technology of the time.

 

[lolski]

What's the benefit of this change?

They get to release a new version. They can't call it a new version if there's no change

 

[peneaux]

What about giving us a decent graphics chip? Would love to play games in 30fps. At 12fps is tough.

 

[tsandekidis]

What about giving us a decent graphics chip? Would love to play games in 30fps. At 12fps is tough.

Ever heard of Apple Silicon? I mean, Max, Ultra, that kind of stuff…

 

[startergo]

Most people want thinner portable devices. Including me.

What most people like to see is cooler laptops without CPU throttling (opposite to thinner) and long battery life.

 

[dannys1]

It's a shame there's not a modularity to ordering Apple computers. Even just a couple of options.

For me personally, i'd be happy to have no camera on my MacBooks, i've never used one. On the very very rare occasion I do need to do a business meeting over Zoom or Teams or whatever i've got other devices that can do it anyway. The notch doesn't bother me at all, but I could easily just not have one.

I'd also like an option of the MacBook Pros to go back to 4x USB-C ports, I have no use for a HDMI port and it pains me that we've lost a Thunderbolt 4 port that can do anything for a HDMI port that can do one thing that'll never use. That could have been a configurable option.

I know it's not very "Steve Jobs" but we're well into Tim Cooks leadership now so mixing up options wouldn't be a bad thing.

 

[dannys1]

What most people like to see is cooler laptops without CPU throttling (opposite to thinner) and long battery life.

To be fair with M processors we already have that (Although my M2 MacBook Air does throttle the GPU more than the M1 ever did - smaller nm processors should/could solve that) - it's plenty long enough battery.

 

[klasma]

it would be great if the MBA had a camera that could be used in a typically-lit room when not by a sunny window.

Hence why they'll be using sunny cameras.

 

[orbital~debris]

What most people like to see is cooler laptops without CPU throttling (opposite to thinner) and long battery life.

I'd say Apple are achieving that balance particularly well with their current product lineup.

 

[ginkobiloba]

- « Security ! Jonny Ive has sneeked into the building again ! »

 

[DrWojtek]

No one has commented the obvious: they might get rid of the notch.

 

[Windoes]

Yeah bring the FaceID to Mac's now!

 

[playtech1]

The M series chips are so much better than the Intel ones that reverting to something slightly less brick like (more like the 2012-era shape) seems doable without compromise.

Smaller notch would be great. At the moment it seems far too big for a fairly standard webcam. Feels like the notch was designed with FaceID in mind, but then that plan has been canned so the notch can be shrunk (or better still removed).

 

[hoodlum90]

They are on a mission to make the devices so thin that they will have a zero or even negative thickness. Just imagine how cool it will be to have an invisible and untouchable and therefore unstealable device.

As long as they don't do that with the Apple TV remote. I have a hard enough time finding remotes today.

 

[antonrg]

As long as they don’t remove the ports they’ve got in the latest design, I’m fine. I love the current MBP design, and no, it’s not heavy or bulky. Get an Air if you want something thin and light

 

[bradman83]

Yeah bring the FaceID to Mac's now!

The dot projector for Face ID is prism-based and takes up almost the entire thickness of an iPhone/iPad. It would be incredibly tricky to squeeze that into a laptop lid which is maybe half the thickness of even the new M4 iPads. That's the biggest reason it hasn't come to the MBP yet (plus Touch ID on a laptop keyboard is arguably equally convenient).

 

[klasma]

No one has commented the obvious: they might get rid of the notch.

Because there is zero indication the camera will become smaller. Compact Camera Module (CCM) is an industry term, and Apple will switch to a new CCM supplier that also supplies lenses, but it doesn’t mean the cameras will be more compact than before. And "vertical integration" refers to the supply chain, not to the physical characteristics of the camera assembly.

Lastly, with the addition of Face ID the notch certainly won't be going away.